Charging system for storage batteries.



I PATBNTED AUG. 25, 1908. P. B. coREY, CHARGING SYSTEM FOR STORAGE BATTERIES.

VAP-PLIOATIOH FILED n11. 21, 1007. I

lrwenton I S Fred B.Corey S WiCneSses mm m.

UNITED s'rnri s PrgENT OFFICE.

FRED B. COREY, OF SUI'IEN EUITADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC UUMPAN Y, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

' CHARGING SYSTEM FOR STORAGE BATTERIES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 25, 1908.

Application filed March 21, 1907. Serial No. 363 780.

' storage batteries, it is ordinarily esirable to employ two batteries at each signal so that one battery may su ply the signal mechanism while the other attery is being charged.

Furthermore, it is desirable to employ automatic means for connecting the batteries to the signals alternately, so that by a change in circuit connections at the generating station the relative connections of the batteries at each signal m be controlled. One arrangement that has con suggested heretofore for thispur ose employs two charging conductors to wliich the two batteries at each signal or battery station are respectively connected, with automatic means whereby, when either conductor. is being 1 distance for operating the switch.

supplied with charging current, the battery not connected to that conductor is connected to the signal mechanism. i

By my invention I dispense with one charging conductor by providing a switch arranged to connect the batteries alternately t0 the same conductor and to the signal mechanism, with means controllable from a In order to avoid'the use of a control wire for the switch-operating mechanism, my invention further colnprises inserting the operating means for the switches in the charging eonductor, and arranging it so that it responds to a reversal of flow of charging current in that conductor.

My invention will best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows iliagrammatically a charging system for storage batteries arranged in accordance with my invention; and Fig. 2 shows a view of one of the automatic switches.

In the drawings A A represent diagrammatically the operating mechanisms for a series of railway signals. At each signal are placed two storage batteries 15 B.

0 represents a charging conductor which extends through the several signal stations forsupplying charging current to the batterles.

D represents a switch arranged to connect the batteries B B at each station alternately to the charging conductor and to the signal operating mechanism A.

E represents a source of current at the generating station lor charging the batteries:

F represents a reversing switch for con necting either terminal of the generator 1* to the charging conductor C. ()no ol' the track rails is shown as continuous to form a return for the charging circuit, but ii" preferred, the charging circuit may be completed by any other conductor.

G represents a resistance in series with the generator and charging conductor, provided with a short-circuiting switch .I l.

In order to actuate the switches I) a mag net winding l is inserted in the charging conductor at each station. This winding acts as a field winding for a rotatable armature J carrying a winding ii, which is connected direct y across the terminals of one of the batteries, and consequently acts to polarize the armature J. The direction of the torque ex erted on this armature by the winding I depends upon the direction of current-[low through the winding I. The armature J carries a weight L, which tends to rotate the armature in either direction from a central posi tion. This weight carries a projection M, which engages the switch 1.), so that the weight L tends to press the switch 1) into one or the other of its operative positions. With the switch D in the position shown, battery B is connected in series with the charging conductor (3, while battery B is connected to the signal mechanism 'A. If it is desired to charge battery 15 switch II at the generatii'ig station is first o )ened, and switch F is then thrown to its other position. This connects the other terminal of the generator E to the charging conductor (1 and reverses the How of current in this conductor. Conse uently, the torque exerted by the winding on the armature J is reversed; thcrcby rotating the armature in a clockwise direction.

As will be seen from Fig. 2, the switch D isnot aflected by the first wart ot. tllB'lllOVQ ment of the armature J, ut after switch blow and shifts switch D with a snap action.

This snap action, which is secured by the lost-motion connection between switch D and magnet winding I, is necessary to complete the movement of the switch. D, since the circuit of winding I is interrupted as soon as the.

left-hand blades ofswitc-h D leave their contact clips, and consequently the momentum of weight I) is relied'upon for completing the movement of switch. I).

It willbe seen that if resistance G were not cut into circuit before switch .l was shifted to its other position, a short-circuit would be produced, since as soon as switch I was thrown, generator .1) and all the storage batseries. connected to the conductor would be connected in a closed circuit with their clectroniotive forces all in the same direction. Consequently, switch II should be opened befoie switch I shifted. Alter switch F has been. shifted, however, and the switches l) reversed, switch [1' may again be closed. viously, switches ll and l may be combined in a single structure i'l" desired.

I do not desire to limit myself to the particular construction and arrangement of arts .here shown, but aim in the, a pended c aims to cover all modifications w uch are within the scope of my invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent ol' the lnited States,'is,-

1. In a charging system for storage battcries,'a plurality of stations, a pair of bat'v teries and a translating device at each station, a cha ging conductorcxtending through said stations, a switch at each station adapted to connect the batteries alternately to said conductor and to said device, and operating means [or the switch at each station responsive to a reversal of current in said conductor.

' 2. In a charging system [or storage batteries, a plurality of stations, a pair of batteries and. a translating device at each station, a chargingconductor extending through said stations, a switch at each stat-ion adapt ed to connect the batteries alternately to said conductor and to said device, operating means for the switch at each station responsive to a reversal of, current. in said conductor, and a lost-motion connection between said operating means and said switch.

3. .[n a charging system for storage batteries, a plurality of stations, a pair of batteries and a translating device at each station, a charging conductor extendingthrough said stations, a switch at each station adapted to connect the batteries alternately to said conductor and to said device, operatingmeans for the switch at each station responsive to a reversal of current in said conductor, a lost-motion connection between the movable winding and said switch, and means for reversing the direction of flow of current in said conductor,

4. In a charging system for storage batteries, a plurality of stations, apair of batteries and a translating device at each station, a charging conductor extending through said station's, a switch at each station adapted to connect the batteries alternately to said conductor and to. said device, and operating means responsive to a reversal of current in said conductor adapted to shift the switch at each station with a snap-action to either of its operative positions.

5.' In a charging system for storage batteries, a plurality of stati ons,'a pair of batteries and a translating device at each sta tion, a charging conductor extending through said stations, a switch at each station adapted to connect the batteries alternately to said conductor. and to said device, and operating means for the switch at each station comprising two cooperating windings, one in circuit with said conductor and the othersupplied with current'from one of the batteries.

6Q In a charging system for storage batteries, a plurality of stations, a pair of batteries ant a translating device at each station, a charging conductor extending through said stations, a switch at each station adapted to connect the batteries alternately to said conductor and to said device, operating means for the switch at each station coinn ising two relatively movable windings, one incircuit with said conductor and the other supplied with current. from one of the batteries, and a lost-motion connection between the movable-winding and said switch.

7. In a charging system for storage-bat teries, a plurality of stations, a pair of bat-- teries and a translating device at each station, a charging conductor extendingthroughsaid stations, a switch at each station adapted to connect the batteries alternately to said conductor and to said device, operating means for the switch at each station comprising two coiiperatingwindin s, one in cir cuit with said conductor and tie other supplied with current from one of the batteries, and means for reversing the direction offilo'w of charging current in saidconduetor.

8. In a charging system for storage batt'eries, a ilurality of stations, a pair of batterie s anil atranslating device at each station, a charging conductor extending through said stations, a switch at each station adapted to connect the batteriesyalternately to said conductor and to said device, operating ineans responsive to a reversal of current in said conductor adapted to shift the switch at 1 each station with a snap-action to either of its operative positions, and means for reverse ing the direction of flow of charging current in said conductor. v

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set 20 my hand this 19th day of March, 1907.

FRED B. comer.

Witnesses:

' BENJAMIN B. IIULL,

HELEN Omonn'. 

